Memorandum of Understanding - June 11, 1999 Version 

Approved by the Voigt Inter-tribal Task Force for tribal ratification June 3, 1999 

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 

REGARDING 

TRIBAL - USDA-FOREST SERVICE RELATIONS 

ON NATIONAL FOREST LANDS WITHIN THE TERRITORIES 

CEDED IN TREATIES OF 1836, 1837, AND 1842 

Preamble 

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) deals with the relationships of sovereign and federally 

recognized tribes of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and of the USDA Forest Service, an agency of the 

government of the United States. The MOU is based on the principle of government-to-government 

interactions between the United States Government and federally recognized Indian tribes. The purpose 

of the agreement is to establish standards by which the Forest Service and the Tribes will act consistently 

across national forest lands within areas ceded in the treaties of 1836, 1837, and 1842. 

The policies of the Forest Service toward federally recognized tribes are intended to strengthen 

relationships and further tribal sovereignty through fulfilling mandated responsibilities and through 

support and assistance of various kinds to tribal governments. The relationships between the Tribes and 

the Forest Service are comprised of several parts, including honoring treaty-based usufructuary rights as 

well as policies of the Forest Service toward Indian nations. While court decisions, laws, regulations, 

policies, and Executive Orders from the President of the United States have all shaped the Forest 

Service's policy toward Indian tribes, nothing in this agreement is in any way intended to abrogate or 

affect in any fashion judicial decisions which have interpreted such treaty rights. 

This MOU recognizes existing treaty rights of Tribes to hunt and fish and to gather wild plants on 

national forest lands in accord with applicable regulatory authorities of the States or other federal 

agencies having jurisdiction over such activities. Reference in the MOU to such activities as hunting and 

fishing are designed to recognize that the the Forest Service manages and provides access to ecosystems 

which support these activities. 

I. CEDED TERRITORIES AND NATIONAL FORESTS INVOLVED (Figure 1). 

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A. Ceded Territories. This MOU specifically pertains to the territories ceded [hereafter ceded 

territories] by various Chippewa Tribes in the following Treaties: Treaty of 1836, 7 Stat. 491; 

Treaty of 1837, 7 Stat. 536; and Treaty of 1842, 7 Stat. 591. 

B. National Forests. This MOU specifically pertains to the portions of the following National 

Forests [hereafter National Forests] located in the ceded territories: Chequamegon-Nicolet in 

Wisconsin; and Ottawa, Hiawatha and Huron-Manistee in Michigan. 

II. PARTIES. The following entities may ratify this MOU in accordance with their respective applicable 

laws and procedures, and, upon proper ratification, shall be deemed a party to this MOU: 

A. Tribes. In their respective sovereign capacities, the following federally- recognized Tribes 

[hereafter Tribes] that are members of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission 

[hereafter GLIFWC]: Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Lac 

du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians; Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake 

Superior Chippewa Indians; St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin; Sokaogon Chippewa 

Community of the Mole Lake Band; Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians; 

Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians; Bay Mills Indian Community; Keweenaw Bay Indian 

Community; and Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. 

B. USDA-FS. On behalf of the United States Department Agriculture, Forest Service [hereafter 

Forest Service] as an agency of the United States Government: the Forest Service 's Eastern 

Region; the Eastern Region' s Law Enforcement and Investigations; and the Forest Service ' s 

North Central Research Station. 

III. GOVERNING PRINCIPLES AND FUNDAMENTAL ASSUMPTIONS. The parties agree that the 

MOU is based upon the following governing principles and fundamental assumptions and that 

the MOU shall be interpreted in accordance with them: 

A. Existence of Ceded Territory Rights. The parties acknowledge and recognize the Tribes' treatyguaranteed hunting, fishing and gathering rights [hereafter ceded territory rights] that may be 

exercised on lands administered by the Forest Service located within the ceded territories. 

B. Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Regulatory Capacity . The parties acknowledge and recognize: 

1. The Tribes' inherent sovereignty and retained regulatory authority regarding their ceded 

territory rights; and 

2. The Tribes' ability to administer and implement a system of effective tribal self-regulation 

regarding tribal member exercise of those rights. 

C. Federal Trust Responsibility and Treaty Obligations . The parties acknowledge and recognize that 

the Forest Service shares in the United States Government's trust responsibility and treaty 

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obligations to work with the Tribes on a government-to-government basis to protect the 

Tribes' ceded territory rights on lands administered by the Forest Service. 

D. Forest Service' s Native American Policies . The parties acknowledge and recognize the Forest 

Service' s Native American polices as presently set forth in Forest Service Manual 1563 

[Tribal Governments] and Forest Service Publication FS-446 [Native American Policy 3⁄4 

Friends and Partners] to: 

1. Maintain a governmental relationship with federally-recognized tribal governments 

consistent with the President' s Memorandum of April 29, 1994, Government-toGovernment Relations with Native American Tribal Governments; 

2. Implement programs and activities in a way that honors Indian treaty rights and fulfills 

legally-mandated trust responsibilities to the extent they apply to National Forest 

System lands; 

3. Administer programs and activities to address and be sensitive to traditional Native 

religious beliefs and practices; and 

4. Provide research, transfer of technology, and technical assistance to tribal governments. 

E. Forest Service' s Forest Management Responsibilities . The parties acknowledge and recognize 

that the Forest Service is the agency of the United States Government authorized and 

responsible for implementing law and policies related to National Forest management. 

F. Forest Service' s Law Enforcement Responsibilities . The parties acknowledge and recognize that 

the Forest Service' s Law Enforcement and Investigations Branch is responsible for 

enforcement of alleged violations of federal laws and regulations occurring on lands 

administered by the Forest Service. 

G. General Tribal/USDA-FS Government-to-Government Relationship Unaffected . This MOU 

applies to the parties' government-to-government relationship, other Tribal - Forest Service 

interactions, the Tribes' ceded territory rights applicable on lands administered by the Forest 

Service, and the parties' relationships and dealings involving those rights. It is not intended, 

and should not be construed, to abrogate or otherwise affect any party's authority or 

responsibility in other areas. Similarly, it is not intended, and should not be construed, to 

otherwise define or restrict the parties' obligations, relationships or dealings in other areas of 

their respective authorities, responsibilities, or sovereign prerogatives. 

H. Effect of MOU on Non-Ratifying Tribes . The parties' specific intent is that this MOU shall not 

bind or in any way affect the rights or claims of any GLIFWC member Tribe that chooses not 

to become a party or of any other Tribe that is a signatory to any of the treaties identified in 

Section I.B., above. 

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I. Reservation of Rights, Claims and Defenses . 

1. The termination of or withdrawal from this MOU shall be without resulting liability to any 

other party or prejudice to any claim a party may have against any other party. 

2. Except as expressly provided herein, the fact that any Tribe or the Forest Service is or may 

have been a party to this MOU shall not be construed as a waiver of any rights, claims 

or defenses that, absent this MOU, any of those entities may have under any treaty 

between the United States and a Tribe, or under other applicable law of the United 

States. 

3. The parties acknowledge that this MOU contains provisions that may be the result of 

compromise and policy choices. As such, these provisions may not reflect the full 

extent of the Tribes' ceded territory rights or of the Forest Service' s responsibilities to 

manage the National Forests. Therefore, in the absence of or outside the scope of this 

MOU, the provisions contained herein are not intended to alter or abridge: 

a. The Tribes' underlying ceded territory rights or those rights of any other treaty 

signatory Tribe that is not a party to this MOU; or 

b. The Forest Service' s authorities to manage the National Forests in accordance with 

applicable law. 

4. This agreement is not intended to alter usufructuary rights recognized in Lac Courte 

Oreilles Band v. Voigt, 700 F.2d.341 (7th Cir. 1983) or Minnesota v. Mille Lacs 

Band of Chippewa Indians, 119S.Ct. 1187 (1999). The MOU does not alter the 

authority of any government regarding the regulation of treaty rights under those 

decisions. 

IV. PURPOSES. To accomplish the primary purposes of recognizing and implementing the Tribes ' ceded 

territory rights and furthering Forest Service Native American policies, the parties intend to: 

A. Government-to-Government Relationship . Establish a framework for a cooperative, governmentto-government relationship between the Tribes and the United States Government that: 

1. Ensures the meaningful exercise of the Tribes ' ceded territory rights on the lands 

administered by the Forest Service within the ceded territories; 

2. Facilitates consistent and timely communication between parties at the appropriate levels 

of government; and 

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3. Fosters effective participation by the Tribes in National Forest management, in the 

development, revisions and implementation of Land and Resource Management Plans 

[hereafter Forest Plans] and in subsequent Forest Plan implementation decisions. 

B. Exercise of Ceded Territory Rights. Establish agreed-upon parameters under which the Tribes ' 

ceded territory gathering rights may be exercised within the provisions of and the protections 

afforded by this MOU on lands administered by the Forest Service within the ceded 

territories. 

C. Conservation of Natural Resources. Protect, manage and enhance ecosystems and communities 

that support the natural resources subject to the Tribes' ceded territory rights on lands 

administered by the Forest Service. 

V. RECOGNITION OF THE PARTIES' MUTUAL INTERESTS. Underlying the purposes of and specific 

agreements contained in this MOU, the parties recognize a number of mutual interests that they wish 

to address: 

A. Tribal Self-Determination and Self-Governance . One of the Tribes' primary goals is to achieve 

self-determination and self-governance through the exercise of their retained sovereign 

governmental authority regarding their ceded territory rights. A key Forest Service policy is 

to administer its programs and activities in a manner that recognizes the governments of the 

Tribes and the authority that they carry out on behalf of the Tribes. Therefore, the parties 

seek to establish a government-to-government relationship that promotes collaboration and 

communication in the management of the National Forests, that provides for effective tribal 

self-regulation of the exercise of ceded territory rights on lands administered by the Forest 

Service, and, as noted below, that promotes efficient and effective law enforcement. 

B. Collaborative Approach in the Management of Natural Resources . The Tribes' ceded territory 

rights include the right to gather wild plants and to harvest wild animals on lands administered 

by the Forest Service, and the Tribes want to ensure that management of these lands protects 

their ability to meaningfully exercise these rights. The Forest Service is tasked with the 

administration of the National Forests and is the federal agency responsible for the care and 

management of the land and natural resources that are part of the National Forests. Therefore, 

the Tribes and the Forest Service seek to establish a relationship and associated processes that 

facilitate consistent and timely communication between them and that integrate the Tribes ' 

needs and wishes for the desired state of the National Forests into Forest Plans and subsequent 

Forest Plan implementation decisions. 

C. Sustainability of Ecosystems . Since time immemorial, the Tribes have traditionally harvested 

certain plants and other resources found on lands now managed as the National Forests to 

meet subsistence, religious, cultural, medicinal and commercial needs. The Tribes ' culture 

and lifeway depends on this harvest activity, and they wish to protect and enhance the natural 

resources upon which they rely. The Tribes measure the protection of these resources in 

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terms of ensuring their sustainability for use by the seventh generation hence. The Forest 

Service is the federal agency responsible for managing the National Forests for the benefit of 

present and future generations. In addition, the Forest Service's policy is to carry out its 

programs and activities in a manner that is sensitive to the Tribes ' traditional practices and 

beliefs. Therefore, the Tribes and Forest Service seek to collaboratively promote ecosystem 

management that protects and restores native communities and species, furthers the diversity 

of species, and ensures the sustained yield and availability of natural resources that are subject 

to the Tribes' ceded territory rights. 

D. Efficient and Effective Law Enforcement . As part of their self-regulatory system, the Tribes 

recognize the need to provide for the enforcement and adjudication of alleged violations of 

tribal laws governing the exercise of the ceded territory rights. To further compliance with 

tribal laws and to mete out meaningful and effective penalties, they recognize that the 

administration of justice in this context is best accomplished within their own communities 

and in their own forums. The Forest Service also recognizes that justice is best served in the 

communities most involved and affected. Therefore, the parties seek to establish a mutually 

beneficial efficient and effective system for enforcing applicable laws. 

E. Consistent Ceded Territory Gathering Regulations. The meaningful exercise of the Tribes ' ceded 

territory rights requires a consistent, conservation-based harvest regulatory system throughout 

the National Forests. To avoid administrative inefficiency and the associated confusion, the 

Forest Service recognizes the need for a consistent gathering policy and regulatory scheme in 

each of the National Forests. Therefore, the parties seek to establish a ceded territory-wide 

policy and regulatory framework that provides for the exercise of the ceded territory rights in 

a consistent manner that meets conservation goals, protects the public health and safety, and 

promotes efficient and effective law enforcement. 

F. Implementation of the Federal Trust Responsibility . The Tribes continually seek to have United 

States Government and its agencies properly discharge the federal trust responsibility to assist 

in the development of the Tribes ' governmental capabilities and to take actions for the Tribes ' 

benefit. The Forest Service's policy is to administer its programs and activities in a manner 

sensitive to the Tribes' needs, beliefs, and practices, and to provide research, transfer of 

technology and technical assistance to the Tribes. Therefore, the parties seek to establish a 

framework for collaboration, communication and information exchange that will nurture 

understanding and maximize mutual benefits, and that will enhance the development of the 

Tribes' capabilities necessary to ensure effective tribal participation in the processes and 

procedures established in this MOU. 

VI. SPECIFIC AGREEMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE GOVERNMENT-TO- GOVERNMENT 

RELATIONSHIP. This section sets forth the specific agreements to implement the parties ' 

government-to-government relationship in these areas: (A) MOU administration and 

implementation; (B) National Forest planning and decision- making; (C) natural resource harvest 

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management; (D) natural resource research and monitoring; (E) law enforcement; and (F) 

amendment of the MOU and its Appendices. 

A. MOU Administration and Implementation . 

1. The parties shall strive to reach consensus in all decisions, actions and processes 

contemplated by the MOU. 

2. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this MOU, the parties shall attempt to resolve 

any dispute arising under the MOU at the lowest possible level on a government-togovernment basis between properly authorized representatives of the parties who have 

the authority to resolve the dispute in question. 

3. To facilitate on-going communication and the resolution of outstanding issues, the parties: 

a. Shall meet at least annually to facilitate on-going communication, to review 

progress made and discuss issues arising under this MOU, to ensure that the 

parties are faithfully and effectively implementing this MOU and adhering to 

its terms, and to discuss trends, issues or other matters that may effect the 

MOU. The Forest Service will accept comments from interested citizens 

about the implementation of the MOU at any time and, prior to the annual 

meeting, the Forest Service will solicit public comments. The parties will 

consider any comments at the annual meeting and jointly approved minutes 

will be made available for public review. 

b. Hereby establish a Technical Working Group (hereafter TWG) whose purpose shall 

be to review any scientific, technical or natural resource management issue 

referred to it in this MOU or by subsequent agreement of the parties. The 

TWG is empowered to make recommendations to the parties regarding the 

matters referred to it, such as the development and coordination of research 

projects, possible harvest monitoring and regulatory responses to particular 

circumstances, and data/information exchange regimens. The TWG also is 

empowered to suggest to the parties issues that may require the parties' 

attention and consideration. 

The TWG will be comprised of qualified natural resource scientists, managers 

and researchers designated by the Forest Service and the Tribes, and should 

include designates from the North Central Research Station and GLIFWC. 

Law enforcement personnel should participate in the TWG as necessary to 

address enforcement-related issues. 

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The Forest Service and the Tribes will each appoint a TWG co-chair to 

coordinate communication and planning for the group ' s work. The TWG may 

appoint one or more working subgroups to address specified issues. 

c. May, in addition to matters referred to the TWG, agree to refer specific questions 

or issues to designated representatives or ad hoc working groups for 

discussion, development of information, formulation of recommendations, or 

specific action. 

d. Agree to provide such data and information as another party might request 

pertaining to matters addressed by the MOU, such as natural resource 

population and harvest data, law enforcement statistics and tribal court 

statistics. 

4. The parties shall cooperate in identifying and seeking adequate funding for the 

enhancement of their infrastructures necessary to improve the implementation of this 

agreement. However, the parties acknowledge that this MOU does not modify or 

restrict the budgetary authority of any party. 

5. The parties shall undertake cultural sensitivity training for their personnel who will be 

responsible for implementing this MOU. The parties also shall engage in joint and 

coordinated public education efforts to inform the public about this MOU and its 

underlying purposes. 

B. National Forest Planning and Decision-making . The parties recognize that Forest Service 

decisions vary in their effects on the abundance of, distribution of or access to the natural 

resources on the lands that it administers. For example, the Forest Service, at various levels, 

makes a number of decisions that relate to such matters as the development, revision and 

implementation of Forest Plans for each of the National Forests covered by this MOU. They 

include decisions that commit to particular land management actions, such as project level 

decisions (including closures of temporary and permanent roads), and decisions that establish 

the policies or guidelines that govern these actions. Other decisions relate to such matters as 

the internal administration of the Forest Service as an agency regarding personnel, property 

and budgets, and do not commit to particular land management actions or establish policies 

governing those actions. 

The Tribes and Forest Service agree that they shall consult on a government-to-government 

basis on all Forest Service decisions that affect the abundance, distribution or access to the 

natural resources on lands administered by the Forest Service. In addition, they agree that the 

goal of such consultation shall be that any such Forest Service decision should expressly 

recognize and accommodate the Tribes' ceded territory rights, protect and enhance treatyreserved natural resources, and accommodate exercise of ceded territory rights by tribal 

members under tribal regulations. 

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To achieve this end, the Tribes and Forest Service specifically agree that: 

1. As to decisions that result in particular land management actions, in policies or guidelines 

governing those actions, or in research projects to be conducted by the North Central 

Research Station: 

a. The Forest Service shall consult with and facilitate effective participation by the 

Tribes at all stages and levels of the decision-making process. This 

collaboration is recognized as a dynamic process that must include consultation 

on a consistent and timely basis at the appropriate levels of government and 

that must be flexible to deal with ever-changing circumstances and adaptive 

natural resource management responses. 

b. The Forest Service shall consider the effects of its decisions on treaty resources and 

the ability of the Tribes to exercise treaty gathering rights. In decision and 

analysis documents, including those required by the National Forest 

Management Act and the National Environmental Policy Act, decision-makers 

will show how tribal information and involvement was taken into account in 

analyzing the effects of potential management actions and in making the 

decision. 

c. The Tribes and the Forest Service will strive to reach consensus. Where consensus 

cannot be reached: 

1) They will attempt to resolve any dispute or disagreement first by good faith 

discussions between the affected Tribe(s) and the Forest Service 

deciding official. The Tribe(s) may raise any matter not resolved at this 

level to a higher Forest Service official, including the appropriate 

Forest Supervisor and the Regional Forester. The Forest Service agrees 

to delay a final decision on the unresolved matter until this process has 

had the opportunity to take place within a reasonable amount of time. 

2) The Forest Service may make and implement the decision. 

3) In addition to the procedures provided by the MOU, a Tribe may challenge 

or appeal any Forest Service decision or action in accordance with 

applicable law. 

2. As to decisions relating to the administration of Forest Service budgets, personnel or 

property, the parties shall cooperate in identifying and seeking adequate resources for 

the Tribes' and Forest Service' s capabilities necessary to implement this MOU. In 

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particular, the Forest Service shall seek input from the Tribes in a timely manner 

regarding the development of its budget proposal for upcoming fiscal years. 

3. During the course of their dealings, the Tribes and Forest Service shall ensure that they 

have identified their representatives with whom the other parties should interact 

regarding particular decisions or particular types of decisions. 

4. Nothing in this MOU shall preclude the Tribes and Forest Service from discussing matters 

or advancing particular requests that are not part of a particular pending Forest Plan 

implementation decision. 

C. Natural Resource Harvest Management. The Tribes and Forest Service acknowledge their mutual 

interests in undertaking a collaborative approach in managing the harvest of natural resources 

on lands administered by the Forest Service to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems and the 

sustained yield of natural resources, in ensuring that the Tribes ' ceded territory rights are 

meaningfully exercised, and in providing for a consistent conservation-based system under 

which the Tribes will exercise their ceded territory rights on those lands. Specifically, the 

Tribes and Forest Service agree: 

1. Within the bounds of their respective authorities, to regulate and monitor the harvest of 

natural resources on lands administered by the Forest Service in a manner that 

provides for a sustained harvest of those resources and affords the Tribes the 

opportunity to harvest an equal allocation of the harvestable surpluses of those 

resources. 

2. That the Tribes will regulate tribal member gathering on lands administered by the Forest 

Service by adopting regulations and implementing permit systems that are no less 

restrictive than those set forth in the Model Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering 

Code [hereafter Model Code], which is attached as Exhibit A and specifically 

incorporated into this MOU. 

3. That any changes making the Model Code, or any Tribe ' s enactment based upon the Model 

Code, less restrictive will fall within the scope of the MOU if the Forest Service ' s 

consent is obtained in accordance with the provisions of subsection F, below. 

4. To monitor harvest levels in the most effective and precise manner needed to ensure 

resource protection and to exchange harvest monitoring data on a regular basis. 

5. To designate areas for tribal sugar bushes that will meet needs identified by the Tribes and 

to jointly develop specific sugar bush management plans. The parties further agree 

to consider complementary and conflicting resource values, location of historical 

sugarbushes, proximity to reservations, and other relevant factors in choosing 

sugarbush locations. 

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6. To locate species of interest to the Tribes and to provide gathering opportunities for those 

resources, particularly regarding gathering opportunities associated with National 

Forest timber sales. 

7. That once the Forest Service decides that it intends to solicit bids for timber sale contracts 

for down or damaged trees, trees in the designated timber salvage stands having a 

diameter of four inches or greater, whether they are alive, dead, down or standing, will 

be regulated in the same manner as standing live trees for treaty harvest purposes. For 

the purposes of the MOU and attached Model Code, the term Forest Service timber 

salvage stand means any stand of trees where the Forest Service has notified the 

Tribes of its decision to solicit bids for a salvage timber sale contract, and the term 

salvage timber means any tree in that stand, whether alive, dead, down or standing, 

having a diameter of four inches or greater. 

8. That the Tribes will not issue a permit for the harvest of live trees or of salvage timber for 

the purposes of constructing a structure/dwelling, as these terms are defined in the 

attached Model Code, without the Forest Service' s consent. In seeking the Forest 

Service' s consent, the requesting Tribe shall inform the other Tribes that are parties to 

the MOU of the request and shall indicate in writing to the Forest Service the types 

and amounts of trees sought, the use to which the trees will be put, and the anticipated 

time frame for the harvest. The Forest Service shall promptly consider the request, 

consult with the requesting Tribe as to the specifics of the proposal, and provide in 

writing its decision and the underlying rationale. The Forest Service shall make every 

attempt to accommodate the request and, before withholding consent, shall discuss 

with the Tribe possible alternatives. In any event, Forest Service consent shall not be 

unreasonably withheld. The Forest Service, within its existing authorities, will 

provide opportunities for the Tribes to take up to 40,000 board feet of timber per 

year per National Forest and the Tribes will conduct inter-tribal coordination on 

requests for timber for these purposes. 

9. That the Tribes and their members use National Forest campgrounds in the exercise of 

their ceded territory rights and that Forest Service fees and length of stay restrictions 

at campground should not interfere with the exercise of the rights. The parties 

acknowledge that, prior to completion and ratification of the MOU, time constraints 

have prevented them from developing the necessary Exemption Agreement and 

accompanying Implementation Plan regarding campground fee and length of stay 

exemptions for tribal members. Upon ratification of the MOU, the parties commit to 

immediately developing the Agreement and Implementation Plan. Once properly 

approved, the Exemption Agreement and Implementation Plan shall become part of 

the MOU and be specifically incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in their 

entirety. 

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10. That the parties have not resolved their disagreement regarding the Tribes ' request for 

unrestricted motorized use of Crooked Lake in the Sylvania Wilderness located in the 

Ottawa National Forest. While the parties agree to disagree on this matter at this time, 

they will continue to strive for a resolution using the procedures and processes 

contained in the MOU. The parties acknowledge that on all other matters regarding 

wildernesses, their agreement is properly reflected in the provisions of the attached 

Model Code, including specifically those of §3.06(1)(a) that establish Tribal National 

Forest Wildernesses. 

11. That, in accordance with the provisions of subsection F, below, the Forest Service will 

notify the Tribes of and obtain the Tribes ' input on proposed changes in federal laws 

or regulations that are intended to regulate or otherwise restrict the harvest of natural 

resources on lands administered by the Forest Service within the ceded territories. 

D. Monitoring and Evaluation. To ensure the sustainability of ecosystems, the Tribes and Forest 

Service acknowledge the importance of inventorying and monitoring the status of species and 

their habitats within the National Forests, evaluating the impacts of harvest on the resources 

subject to the Tribes' ceded territory rights, and evaluating the effects of other land 

management activities on those resources. With the input and recommendations of the TWG, 

the Tribes and Forest Service agree to: 

1. Review their respective existing research projects and administrative studies as needed for 

the purpose of encouraging research coordination. 

2. Establish and implement a program of research, monitoring and evaluation regarding the 

resources subject to the Tribes' ceded territory rights that specifically would: 

a. Inventory species status and habitat requirements. 

b. Monitor the population dynamics and habitats of species as Forest Plans are 

implemented. 

c. Determine the effects of land management activities, such as timber harvest, on 

species' populations. 

d. Determine the effects of wild plant harvest on the status of the species being 

harvested. 

e. Evaluate such other matters that relate to the resources subject to the Tribes' ceded 

territory rights. 

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E. Law Enforcement. The parties acknowledge the Tribes' capabilities to implement a selfregulatory system governing the exercise of ceded territory rights applicable on lands 

administered by the Forest Service. The parties specifically agree that: 

1. Any regulation adopted by Tribe consistent with the MOU will govern the exercise of the 

Tribes' ceded territory gathering rights within the National Forests and is within the 

scope of the MOU. Any Tribe's regulation that is not consistent with the MOU's 

provisions is outside the MOU's scope. 

2. The enforcement of the Tribes' regulations and of any federal statute or regulation 

governing the conduct within the scope of a Tribe's regulations that are consistent 

with the terms of the MOU shall be governed by a properly ratified agreement that is 

no less restrictive than the Tribal Self-Regulation Agreement [hereafter SelfRegulation Agreement], attached as Appendix B and specifically incorporated into the 

MOU. For the purposes of this subsection, properly ratified means a party' s 

approval of and the agreement to be bound by the Self-Regulation Agreement in 

accordance with that party' s required governmental procedures. 

3. That any changes in the Self-Regulation Agreement shall be made in accordance with the 

provisions of subsection F, below. 

4. Primary enforcement and administration of justice responsibilities for the Tribes ' 

regulations lies with the Tribes and their properly authorized agencies. 

5. The Tribes and Forest Service will coordinate their respective law enforcement activities 

and establish cooperative law enforcement ventures, such as joint patrols, effective 

communication systems, information and potential violation referral processes, and 

joint training activities. These coordinated law enforcement activities shall include at 

least annual meetings between designated enforcement personnel. 

F. Process for MOU Amendments, Regulatory Changes and Self-Regulation Agreement Changes . 

The parties recognize the dynamic nature of their government-to-government relationship. 

They also recognize that changes in federal and tribal regulation and management of the 

harvesting of the National Forests' natural resources in the ceded territories are inevitable. To 

facilitate open communication and minimize disputes arising from the dynamics of their 

relationship and from the need to change harvest regulations, the parties agree: 

1. Consensus/Resolution of Disputes. As for the matters addressed by this subsection F, the 

affected parties shall strive to reach consensus on the matter at hand. Where 

consensus cannot be reached: 

a. The affected parties will attempt to resolve any dispute or disagreement first by 

good faith discussions at the appropriate governmental level. A party may 

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raise any matter not resolved at this level to a higher official of another party. 

If it has the authority to do so, a party will delay a final decision on the 

unresolved matter until this process has had the opportunity to take place 

within a reasonable amount of time. 

b. A party claiming the requisite authority may make and implement a decision on the 

unresolved matter. 

c. In addition to the procedures provided by the MOU, a party may challenge or 

appeal another party' s decision or action in accordance with applicable law. 

2. MOU Amendment. Any party may propose an amendment to the MOU in writing to the 

other parties. Within 60 days of receipt, the parties shall convene a meeting to 

consider the proposal. An amendment may be adopted by and binding upon less than 

all of the parties provided that the adopting parties include at least one tribal party and 

the Forest Service. 

3. Federal Laws and Regulations . The Forest Service agrees to seek the input of the Tribes 

on proposed changes to the Forest Service' s regulation of natural resource harvesting 

within the ceded territories by providing written notice, including an explanation of the 

underlying rationale, to the Tribes at least 60 days in advance of the desired effective 

date of the proposed change. The Tribes shall have 45 days, or such other time period 

as may be agreed upon, to provide comments. 

In addition, the Tribes may submit a written request to the Forest Service for changes in the 

Forest Service' s regulation of natural resource harvesting, including an explanation of 

the request' s rationale. The Forest Service agrees to respond to the request within 45 

days, or such other time period as may be agreed upon. 

Unless other time frames are specifically imposed by applicable law, the Forest Service and 

the Tribes agree to afford as much time as is necessary and appropriate for consensus 

to be reached on the Forest Service proposal and on a Tribe' s request. 

4. Model Code or Tribal Enactments Based Upon the Model Code. The Tribes agree to 

notify the Forest Service in writing of any proposed change that would make the 

Model Code, or any Tribe' s enactment based upon the Model Code, less restrictive 

than provided for in the MOU. In addition, the Forest Service may request the Tribes 

to change the Model Code, or any Tribe' s enactment based upon the Model Code, to 

be more restrictive than provided for in the MOU. 

Except in cases of emergency, such notices and requests will be provided at least 60 days in 

advance of the desired effective date of the change and will include an explanation of 

the proposal' s rationale. Within 45 days of receipt, or such other time period as may 

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Memorandum of Understanding - June 11, 1999 Version 

be agreed upon, the receiving party or parties shall respond expressing any objections 

and indicating any changes that are agreeable. The failure to object in writing to a 

proposed change within the 45-day period, or any extension thereof, will be deemed 

as agreement to the proposal. 

The Forest Service and the Tribes agree to afford as much time as is necessary and 

appropriate for consensus to be reached on any objection to a proposed or requested 

change. 

A properly amended Model Code shall replace the then-current Appendix A to the MOU and 

is specifically incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its entirety. 

5. Tribal Self-Regulation Agreement . Any party may submit a written request to the other 

parties for a change in the Self-Regulation Agreement. Except in cases of emergency, 

such request will be provided at least 60 days in advance of the desired effective date 

of the change and will include an explanation of the proposal ' s rationale. Within 45 

days of receipt, or such other time period as may be agreed upon, the receiving party 

or parties shall respond expressing any objections and indicating any changes that are 

agreeable. The failure to object in writing to a proposed change within the 45-day 

period, or any extension thereof, will be deemed as agreement to the proposal. 

The Forest Service and the Tribes agree to afford as much time as is necessary and 

appropriate for consensus to be reached on any objection to a proposed change. 

A properly amended Self-Regulation Agreement shall replace the then-current Appendix B to 

the MOU and is specifically incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its 

entirety. 

VII. CONGRESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT. Pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 22, no Member of or Delegate 

to the Congress of the United States shall be admitted to any share or part of this instrument, or any 

benefits that may arise therefrom. 

VIII. MOU EFFECTIVE DATE/TERMINATION. The MOU shall take effect on the date when at least 

one Tribe, the Forest Service' s Eastern Region, the Region' s Law Enforcement and Investigations 

Branch, and the North Central Research Station have properly ratified it in accordance with their 

respective governmental procedures. The MOU shall be binding as to and between those entities 

upon notice to the other parties of their ratification as provided in Section IX, below. Any party may 

withdraw from this agreement at any time following the notice of withdrawl procedures of IX.B. 

This MOU shall no longer be in effect if the Forest Service withdraws or if all ratifying tribes have 

withdrawn. 

IX. REQUIRED NOTICES/PARTIES' DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES. 

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Memorandum of Understanding - June 11, 1999 Version 

A. Notice of Ratification. Within 30 days of ratification of the MOU, an entity shall notify all other 

entities listed in Section II, above, of the date of ratification. Each party ' s Notice of 

Ratification is specifically incorporated into the MOU as if set forth in its entirety. 

B. Notice of Withdrawal. A party shall provide written notice to the other parties of its intent to 

withdraw from the MOU at least 60 days in advance of the proposed withdrawal date. Within 

45 days of such notice, or such other time period as may be agreed upon, the parties shall 

convene a meeting to discuss the intent to withdraw and to attempt to reach consensus on 

ways to prevent the withdrawal. Should a party ultimately withdraw from the MOU, it shall 

provide a written Notice of Withdrawal to the other parties, and such Notice is specifically 

incorporated into the MOU as if set forth in its entirety. 

C. Designated Representatives. In providing notice of its ratification, a party may designate its 

representative for receiving the notices from the another party that are required by the MOU. 

Where a party has not formally designated a representative either with its Notice of 

Ratification or with respect to particular matters addressed by the MOU, another party may 

provide a required notice ex officio to the office of the official that provided the party ' s 

Notice of Ratification. 

X. INITIAL MEETING OF THE PARTIES. Within 90 days of the MOU's effective date, the parties shall 

convene an initial meeting for the purposes of: (A) identifying those matters that require immediate 

attention in implementing the MOU ' s provisions, such as the agreement and implementation plan 

regarding campground fees and length of stay restrictions; (B) identifying and addressing any other 

matter regarding the MOU that requires the parties' attention; (C) setting forth a timetable for 

addressing those matters; and (D) identifying their representatives that will serve as their keepers of 

the process in ensuring that the MOU is faithfully implemented. These representatives may be 

persons other than a party' s designated representative for receiving required notices from another 

party provided for in Article IX, above. 

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__________________________________________ 

Approved and Recommended for Tribal Adoption by the Voigt Intertribal Task Force (August 6, 1998) 

APPENDIX A 

MODEL 

OFF-RESERVATION NATIONAL FOREST GATHERING CODE 

OF THE 
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION 

1.01 Title. 

This ordinance shall be known as the 

_____________________________________________________________ Off-Reservation 

National Forest Gathering Code. 

1.02 Authority. 

This ordinance is enacted pursuant to Article ______, Section ______ of the Constitution 

and By-Laws of the ____________________________________ 

_______________________________________________________________ Tribe. 

1.03 Purpose. 

It is the purpose of this ordinance to: 

(1) Provide an orderly and effective system for tribal control and regulation of treatyreserved gathering activities applicable to National Forests located in the ceded territory. 

(2) Supplement the Tribal Off-Reservation Conservation Code for the purposes of 

regulating the exercise of treaty-reserved off-reservation gathering rights applicable to National 

Forests located in the ceded territory. 

(3) Implement the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the 

Recognition and Implementation of Tribal Ceded Territory Rights Guaranteed by the Treaties of 

1836, 1837, and 1842, as may be amended from time to time, which has been ratified by the Tribe 

and which is incorporated by reference herein as if set forth in its entirety. 

1.04 Effective Date. 

This ordinance shall be effective on the date adopted by the Tribe's governing body. 

1.05 Interpretation. 

The provisions of this ordinance: 

(1) Shall be interpreted and applied as minimum requirements governing the exercise of 

treaty-reserved gathering rights applicable to National Forests located in the ceded territory; 

(2) Shall be liberally construed in favor of the tribe; 

MOU Appendix A 

Model Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code 

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(3) Shall be construed consistent with the purposes and provisions of the Memorandum 

of Understanding Regarding the Recognition and Implementation of Tribal Ceded Territory 

Rights Guaranteed by the Treaties of 1836, 1837, and 1842, as may be amended from time to 

time, which has been ratified by the Tribe and which is incorporated by reference herein as if set 

forth in its entirety; and 

(4) Shall not be deemed a limitation or repeal of any other tribal power or authority. 

1.06 Severability and Non-Liability. 

If any section, provision or portion of this ordinance is adjudged unconstitutional or 

invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this ordinance shall not be affected 

thereby. The Tribe further asserts immunity on its part and that of its agencies, employees, and/or 

agents from any action or damages that may occur as a result of reliance upon and conformance 

with this ordinance. 

1.07 Relationship to Tribal Off-Reservation Conservation Code and other Tribal 

Ordinances. 

(1) All other ordinances and resolutions that solely govern treaty-reserved ceded territory 

gathering rights applicable to National Forests located in the ceded territory are hereby repealed. 

(2)(a) This ordinance is not intended to repeal or replace any provision of the Tribe's OffReservation Conservation Code. It is intended to supplement that Code for the purposes of 

authorizing or governing the exercise of treaty-reserved wild plant gathering rights applicable to 

National Forests. It is not intended to apply to the exercise of any other treaty-reserved ceded 

territory right that is authorized or governed by the Tribe's Off-Reservation Conservation Code. 

(b) Unless otherwise specifically indicated in this ordinance, it is the intent of this 

ordinance that the provisions of the Tribe's Off-Reservation Conservation Code that generally 

govern the conduct of tribal members exercising treaty rights applicable in the ceded territory shall 

apply to tribal members exercising treaty-reserved off-reservation gathering rights applicable to 

National Forests pursuant to this ordinance. Such provisions of the Tribe's Off-Reservation 

Conservation Code are hereby declared, and shall be construed, to govern tribal members engaged 

in the exercise of treaty-reserved gathering rights applicable to National Forests. 

1.08 Religious or Ceremonial Use of Natural Resources. 

(1) Nothing in this ordinance shall prohibit the harvest or use of natural resources in a 

manner otherwise prohibited by this ordinance which is harvested, taken or otherwise obtained in 

a National Forest within the ceded territory for religious or ceremonial purposes in accordance 

with the traditions and customs of the Tribe and with the consent of the Tribe’s governing body, 

or its designee. 

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(2) In reviewing and taking action on any request for religious or ceremonial harvest, the 

Tribes’ governing body, or its designee, shall take into account the biological impact of the 

harvest, shall ensure that the harvest takes place in a manner that does not cause biological harm, 

and shall consult with the local National Forest District office if the requested gathering is to take 

place in a National Forest Research Natural Area (see Section 3.06(1)). 

(3) No member shall fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the any permit issued 

pursuant to this section or to otherwise comply with the requirements imposed by the Tribe’s 

regarding religious or ceremonial harvest of wild plants in National Forests in the ceded territory. 

MOU Appendix A 

Model Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code 

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CHAPTER 2 - DEFINITIONS 

2.01 Definitions. 

(1) Except for specific terms defined in subsection (2), terms in this ordinance shall have 

the same definition as provided in the Tribe's Off-Reservation Conservation Code. 

(2) The following terms, wherever used in this ordinance, shall be construed as follows: 

(a) "Ceded Territory" means those off-reservation lands ceded by the Tribe or another 

signatory tribe to the United States of America in the Treaty of 1836, 7 Stat. 491, the Treaty of 

1837, 7 Stat. 536, or the Treaty of 1842, 7 Stat. 591. 

(b) "Forest Service" means the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 

(c) "Gather" or "gathering" means to take or acquire or attempt to take or acquire 

possession of any wild plant, or part thereof. 

(d) “Forest Service Salvage Timber Stand” means any stand of trees where the Forest 

Service has notified the Tribe of the decision to solicit bids for a Forest Service salvage timber 

sale contract. 

(e) "National Forest" means those lands located within the ceded territory owned by the 

United States of America and part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Hiawatha 

National Forest, the Huron-Manistee National Forest, or the Ottawa National Forest. 

(f) “Salvage Timber” means any tree in a Forest Service salvage timber stand, whether 

alive, dead, down or standing, having a diameter of four inches or greater. 

(g) "Signatory Tribe" means an Indian Tribe which is a signatory to the Treaty of 1836, 

7 Stat. 491, the Treaty of 1837, 7 Stat. 536, or the Treaty of 1842, 7 Stat. 591, or such tribe's 

successor in interest. 

(h) "Wild Plant" means any undomesticated species, or part thereof, of the plant and 

fungi kingdoms occurring in the natural ecosystem, but for the purposes of this ordinance 

excludes wild rice. 

MOU Appendix A 

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CHAPTER 3 - GENERAL REGULATIONS 

3.01 Regulatory Authority. 

(1) The Tribe asserts legal authority to regulate the exercise of the Tribe’s treaty-reserved 

ceded territory gathering rights applicable to wild plants found in National Forests. 

(2) Any person authorized to enforce this ordinance may seize forthwith wherever found: 

(a) any wild plant taken or reduced to possession in violation of this ordinance; or 

(b) any wild plant lawfully taken or reduced to possession under this ordinance, upon 

violation of any provision of this ordinance relating to the possession, use, giving, sale, barter or 

transportation of such wild plant. 

3.02 Permits and Identification -- General. 

(1) No member shall gather any wild plant off-reservation in a National Forest without 

possessing a valid off-reservation harvesting permit approved by the Tribe, which may be the 

member's tribal identification card required by Subsection (2), or such other permit as this 

ordinance may require validated for the particular type of activity to be engaged in for the 

particular season in question. 

(2) No member shall gather any wild plant off-reservation in a National Forest except 

while carrying a valid picture identification card issued by the tribe, or other form of identification 

approved by the tribe for such gathering activities. 

(3) No member shall refuse to display his or her identification documents upon request of 

any tribal, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, federal, state, or local law 

enforcement officer. 

(4) No member shall fail to comply with the terms, conditions and location restrictions of 

a permit issued pursuant to this ordinance. 

(5) The tribal conservation department is authorized to issue to members permits required 

by this ordinance and to impose such terms, conditions and location restrictions in those permits 

as it deems necessary or appropriate. Except as otherwise required by this ordinance, the form of 

such permits shall be left to the discretion of the tribal conservation department, provided such 

form shall require the name, address and member's tribal identification number. 

(6) The tribal conservation department may issue such harvesting permits to members of a 

signatory Tribe, provided such other Tribe has enacted an ordinance governing gathering in 

National Forests that is at least as restrictive as this ordinance. 

MOU Appendix A 

Model Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code 

Page 6 
3.03 Commercial Wild Plant Gathering Permits. 

(1) No member shall gather to sell conifer boughs, princess pine or ginseng without 

possessing a valid commercial wild plant gathering permit. 

(2) A commercial wild plant gathering permit shall: 

(a) identify the permittee or permittees, including the name, address, tribal affiliation and 

tribal identification number of all members authorized by the permit; and 

(b) identify the amount and general location of the plants to be gathered; 

(c) require that all members authorized by the permit must possess a duplicate of the 

permit while engaged in the gathering activity. 

(3) A commercial wild plant gathering permit may: 

(a) establish limits on the quantity of the plants which may be gathered; 

(b) in addition to other area restrictions provided in this ordinance, limit gathering to a 

specific area or areas; 

(c) define or limit the methods which may be employed to gather the plants; and 

(d) establish such other conditions or requirements deemed necessary or appropriate by 

the tribal conservation department. 

3.04 Harvest Monitoring. 

(1) Generally. No member to whom any permit has been issued under this ordinance shall 

fail or refuse to provide harvest information when requested by the tribal conservation 

department, any person authorized to enforce this ordinance, or the Great Lakes Indian Fish and 

Wildlife Commission. 

(2) Records of Commercial Ginseng Transactions. 

(a) No member shall sell any ginseng harvested pursuant to this ordinance to any person 

unless the member maintains a written record of all transactions on forms prescribed by the tribal 

conservation department indicating the amount of ginseng involved, the parties to the transaction, 

the date of the transaction and the National Forest in which harvest occurred. 

(b) Records maintained pursuant to this section shall be forwarded annually to the tribal 

conservation department, or its designee. 

MOU Appendix A 

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Page 7 
(c) No member shall fail to comply with the reporting requirements of this section. 

(d) With respect to ginseng gathered in a National Forest, this section supersedes any 

requirement for maintaining records of commercial transactions contained in the Tribe's OffReservation Conservation Code. 

3.05 Emergency Closures. 

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this ordinance, the Director of the Biological 

Services Division of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission or the tribal 

conservation department may order the closure of the harvest activity of any wild plant in a 

National Forest generally or with respect to a particular location, whenever the continuation of 

the harvest is likely to cause biological harm to the species involved. 

(2) Every reasonable effort shall be made to consult with and obtain approval of the Tribe 

prior to ordering an emergency closure, but such closure may be ordered without consultation or 

approval if circumstances require. 

(3) An emergency closure shall become effective immediately upon issuance or at such 

time or date as the closure order may direct. Such closure shall be communicated to the Tribe by 

the best and swiftest practical method. 

(4) No member shall violate the terms, conditions or restriction of an emergency closure 

order issued pursuant to this section. 

3.06 Harvest and Other Location Restrictions. 

(1) Tribal Wilderness, Research Natural Areas, and Special Use Areas Established. The 

following Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission document, as it may be amended 

from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated in this ordinance as if fully set forth herein, 

and no member shall fail to comply with the closures and other restrictions established by this 

document: 

Tribal Wildernesses, Tribal Research Natural Areas, and Tribal Vehicle Permit Areas on 

National Forests, Version 1: [August 1998]. 

(2) Forest Service Administrative Sites. No member shall gather wild plants under 

authority of this ordinance on a Forest Service administrative site. For the purposes of this 

ordinance, a “Forest Service administrative site” means a specific site where an office, storage or 

other building or structure is located and maintained by the Forest Service as part of its operation 

and management of a National Forest. It is the member's responsibility to be certain about a 

Forest Service administrative site. Any uncertainty should be resolved by contacting the tribal 

conservation department, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission or the local National 

Forest District office. 

MOU Appendix A 

Model Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code 

Page 8 
(3) National Forest Campgrounds. (a) Gathering in Developed Campgrounds. (i) 

Except as provided in subs (ii), no member shall gather wild plants under authority of this 

ordinance on any land located within a developed National Forest Campground. For the purpose 

of this ordinance, a “developed National Forest Campground” means a location that is clearly 

marked and identified as a campground by the Forest Service and on which improvements clearly 

have been made to develop and maintain the site as a campground. It is the member's 

responsibility to be certain about a developed National Forest campground. Any uncertainty 

should be resolved by contacting the tribal conservation department, Great Lakes Indian Fish and 

Wildlife Commission or the local National Forest District office. 

(ii) Except where firewood is provided at no cost by the campground or where firewood 

will be used while camping in the campground, no member shall gather firewood in a developed 

National Forest campground. 

(b) Camping Fees and Length of Stay Restrictions. The Tribe and the Forest Service 

have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding that will exempt members from certain 

camping fees and length of stay restrictions that the Forest Service requires of the general public 

in the National Forests. Once the Tribe and the Forest Service have entered into a campground 

fee and length of stay Exemption Agreement and accompanying Implementation Plan, and the 

Tribe has ratified the Agreement and Plan, no member shall fail to comply with the requirements 

and restrictions contained in the Agreement and Plan. Information about the Exemption 

Agreement and Implementation Plan can be obtained by contacting the tribal conservation 

department, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission or local National Forest District 

office. 

(4) Non-National Forest Lands. No member shall gather wild plants under authority of 

this ordinance on any land located within the boundaries of a National Forest that is not owned by 

the United States of America and part of a National Forest. This provision does not apply to or 

otherwise restrict any wild plant gathering on non-National Forest lands that is authorized by 

another tribal ordinance. 

3.07 Harvest of Trees Subject to a Timber Sale Contract or Located Within a Forest 

Service Timber Sale Contract Area. 

(1) No member shall gather any tree under authority of this ordinance without a permit 

issued pursuant to subs. (4) that is subject to the harvest rights of another in a valid Forest Service 

timber sale contract. Sometimes these trees are marked with orange, green or yellow paint. 

However, it is the member's responsibility to be certain about trees that are subject to a valid 

Forest Service timber sale contract. Any uncertainty should be resolved by contacting the tribal 

conservation department, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission or the local National 

Forest District office. 

MOU Appendix A 

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(2) Within an open Forest Service Timber Sale Contract Area as defined in subs. (3), no 

member shall undertake any of the following activities under authority of this ordinance without a 

permit issued pursuant to subs. (4): 

(a) Cut down any live tree; 

(b) Remove the bark of any live tree; 

(c) Trim or remove the branches from the top half of any live tree; or 

(d) Trim or remove the branches or other parts, except cones, of any tree that has been 

cut down by another person. 

(3) For the purposes of this ordinance, an “open Forest Service Timber Sale Contract 

Area” means a defined location of a National Forest which has been delineated by the Forest 

Service for the purposes of a timber sale offering and for which a valid Forest Service timber sale 

contract has been executed. Typically, a Forest Service Timber Sale Contract Area is marked 

with blue paint on trees around the perimeter of the Area. It is the member's responsibility to be 

certain about an open Timber Sale Contract Area. Any uncertainty should be resolved by 

contacting the tribal conservation department, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission 

or the local National Forest District office. 

(4) (a) The tribal conservation department, after first consulting with the Forest Service, 

is authorized to issue permits under this section on such terms and conditions as it deems 

necessary and appropriate. 

(b) No member shall fail to comply with the terms and conditions of a permit issued 

pursuant to this section. 

3.08 Harvest of Certain “Marked” Trees. 

(1) No member shall cut down any tree that has been designated with any of the following 

markings, and no member shall remove, alter or deface any of the following markings: 

(a) Blue Paint. Blue paint designates the boundaries of a payment unit within a Forest 

Service Timber Contract Sale Area; 

(b) Red Paint. Red paint indicates boundaries between National Forest land and other 

ownerships, or may designate a witness tree at a legal corner; 

(c) White Paint Stripes or Other White Bands. White stripes or bands indicate a tree 

being used to collect cones or seeds for nursery stock; or 

(d) Metal or Wood Forest Service Signs. These signs designate property or National 

MOU Appendix A 

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Page 10 
Forest boundaries, indicate legal corners or other survey data, indicate nursery stock, or provide 

other similar information. 

3.09 Permissible Conduct/Assistance by Non-Members. 

(1) Conduct which is not expressly prohibited, restricted or otherwise regulated by this 

ordinance shall be deemed permissible. 

(2) Except as provided in subs.(3) or as otherwise provided herein, nothing in this 

ordinance shall be construed to prohibit a member from gathering in a National Forest with any 

other person who is not a member of the Band, provided that such other person possesses a 

license or permit, or is otherwise not prohibited from engaging in the activity involved and 

complies with applicable laws. 

(3) No member shall allow any person who is not a member to assist, and no such person 

shall assist, in the activities authorized by this ordinance except that persons of the member’s 

immediate family, including but not limited to grandparents, parents, spouses, and siblings, may 

assist the member provided the member is present when the assistance is rendered. 

MOU Appendix A 

Model Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code 

Page 11 
CHAPTER 4 - ENFORCEMENT 

4.01 Enforcement by Deputized Conservation Wardens and Issuance of Citations. 

(1) Any provision of this ordinance may be enforced by tribal conservation wardens or by 

conservation wardens of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. Said Commission 

wardens are hereby deputized by the Tribe as tribal conservation wardens for the purposes of 

enforcing this ordinance. 

(2) Such Tribal and Commission wardens may issue a citation on a form approved by the 

Tribe or tribal court to any person whose conduct is regulated by the provisions of this ordinance 

upon reasonable belief that such person has violated or breached a provision of this ordinance. 

4.02 Search and Seizure; When Authorized. 

Tribal and Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission conservation wardens, and 

properly identified Forest Service law enforcement officers are empowered to: 

(1) Conduct a search of an object, place or person whose conduct is regulated by the 

provisions of this ordinance, and may seize things when the search is made: 

(a) with consent; 

(b) pursuant to a valid search warrant; 

(c) with the authority and within the scope of a right of lawful inspection as provided in 

this section; 

(d) incident to the issuance of a lawfully issued citation under this ordinance; or 

(e) as otherwise authorized by law or by the provisions of this ordinance; 

(2) Conduct routine inspections, in a manner and at such times and locations as are 

reasonable and appropriate in the ordinary course of routine enforcement activities, of vessels, 

boats, wagons, trailers, automobiles, snowmobiles, off-highway vehicles, containers, packages, 

and other receptacles contained therein, utilized by a person in a harvest activity authorized by 

this ordinance and of record of commercial transactions required under this ordinance with have 

not yet been forwarded to the tribal conservation department; 

(3) Execute and serve warrants and other process issued by the tribal court in accordance 

with applicable law; 

(4) Stop any automobile or other vehicle as part of a lawful inspection authorized by this 

section or if the person reasonably suspects there is a violation or breach of this ordinance; 

MOU Appendix A 

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Page 12 
(5) With or without a warrant, open, enter and examine vessels, boats, wagons, trailers, 

automobile, vehicles, snowmobiles, off-highway vehicles, and packages and other receptacles 

contained therein, in which the person has probable cause to believe that contraband wild plants, 

may be contained or pursuant to a lawful inspection authorized by this section; and 

(6) Seize and hold subject to the order of the tribal court any alleged contraband or 

property which such person reasonably believes may be needed as evidence in connection with the 

institution of proceedings in tribal court or any property otherwise authorized to be seized by the 

provisions of this ordinance. 

4.03 Seized Items. 

Any wild plant which is seized in connection with cases referred to Tribal Court for 

prosecution shall be turned over to the Tribe. No seized wild plant shall be returned by the tribal 

court or tribal officials to a convicted violator, his or her immediate family or other member of the 

gathering party. 

4.04 Penalties. 

Any person who, for himself or herself, or by his or her agent, servant or employee, or as 

an agent, servant or employee of another, violates this ordinance, shall be liable as follows: 

(1) For any violation, a civil remedial forfeiture of not more than $5000.00; 

(2) For any violation, a revocation or suspension of off-reservation National Forest 

gathering privileges for a period of time within the discretion of the court; 

(3) For any violation, the court may order a natural resources assessment not to exceed 

75% of the amount of the civil remedial forfeiture; and 

(4) For any violation, appropriate court costs within the discretion of the court. 

4.05 Civil Damages. 

(1) In addition to any other penalty allowed by this ordinance, the tribal court may award 

to the Tribe or, in addition to an action to impose penalties, the Tribe may bring a civil action for 

recovery of, damages against any person unlawfully gathering or having unlawfully in possession 

any wild plant taken from a National Forest. The sum assessed for damages for each wild plant 

shall not be less than the amount stated in this section: 

(a) Any endangered or threatened species protected under this ordinance, $875.00. 

(b) Any wild plant for which a fair market value can be established, the fair market value. 

MOU Appendix A 

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Page 13 
(c) Any other wild plant, $17.50. 

(2) Where the Forest Service or another person or entity has sustained damages as a 

result of unlawful harvest, the court may, with the consent of the Tribe, award all or part of any 

civil damages obtained pursuant to this section to the Forest Service or to such person or entity. 

4.06 Enhancement of Forfeiture and Penalties. 

Upon conviction of any member for a violation of this ordinance when such person has 

been convicted of a previous violation of this ordinance within a period of one year, the court may 

enhance any civil remedial forfeiture or other penalty as the court deems appropriate. 

4.07 Collection of Money Penalties. 

Enforcement of the money penalties imposed pursuant to this ordinance may be had 

through the collection of penalties from funds of the violator held by the Tribe, through the 

imposition of community service work requirements in lieu of money payment, through debt 

collection mechanisms of the courts of other jurisdictions, or through any other method 

authorized by law. 

4.08 Parties to a Violation. 

(1) Whoever is concerned in the commission of a violation of this ordinance shall be 

deemed a principal and may be charged with the violation although he or she did not directly 

commit it and although the person who directly committed it has not been convicted of the 

violation. 

(2) A person is concerned in the commission of the violation if the person: 

(a) directly commits the violation; 

(b) aids or abets the commission of it; or 

(c) is a party to a conspiracy with another to commit it, or advises, hires, or counsels or 

otherwise procures another to commit it. 

4.09 Harvesting After Revocation or Suspension. 

No person whose off-reservation National Forest wild plant gathering privileges have been 

revoked or suspended pursuant to Section 4.04(2), shall gather any wild plant in a National 

Forest, the harvest of which is regulated by this ordinance, during such revocation or suspension. 

MOU Appendix A 

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Page 14 
4.10 Schedule of Money Penalties; No Contest. 

The tribal court, in consultation with the Tribe's Governing Body, may adopt a schedule of 

forfeitures to be imposed by the court upon the receipt of an admission that a violation of this 

ordinance has occurred, or a plea of not contest, which may be done either in person or in writing.

 This schedule shall not bind the court as to forfeitures assessed by the court after adjudicating a 

violation where the defendant has entered a plea of not guilty. 

4.11 Hearings in Tribal Court. 

The Tribal Court shall adjudicate all matters arising under this ordinance pursuant to the 

provisions of the Tribal Court Code. 

4.12 Members of Other Tribes, Tribal Court Adjudications. 

The tribal court is authorized to adjudicate alleged violations by any member of a 

signatory tribe of any off-reservation National Forest gathering code of that Tribe provided: 

(1) The relevant provisions of such ordinance are in essential conformance with the 

parallel provisions of this ordinance; and 

(2) The other Tribe has authorized the adjudication. 

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Page 15 
CHAPTER 5 -- SPECIFIC HARVEST REGULATIONS 

5.01 Conifer Boughs. 

No member shall: 

(1) Cut down a tree for the purpose of gathering conifer boughs; 

(2) Remove boughs from the upper half of a tree; or 

(3) Gather for subsequent sale northern white cedar or hemlock boughs. 

5.02 Princess Pine. 

No member shall gather for subsequent sale any Lycopodium species except Lycopodium 

obscurum, Lycopodium dendroidium, or Lycopodium hickeyi. 

5.03 Firewood. 

(1) No member shall cut any live tree or gather any salvage timber for firewood unless the 

tree is included within a National Forest "firewood sale," other area designated for firewood either 

generally or on a case-by-case basis, or as permitted pursuant to a valid sugarbush site permit 

issued pursuant to Section 5.05. 

(2) No member shall cut any standing dead tree more than 100 feet from the cleared edge 

of any road where it is legal for highway vehicles to travel. 

(3) No member shall cut any standing dead tree within 200 feet of any pond, lake, stream 

or river. 

(4) No member shall use a farm tractor, rubber tired skidder, or similar vehicle for 

gathering firewood without written permission from the Tribe. 

5.04 Ginseng. 

No member shall gather ginseng from November 1 through August 31. 

5.05 Maple Sap/Sugarbushes. 

(1) No member shall gather maple sap without a sugarbush site permit valid for a 

designated tribal sugarbush or for such other location approved by the tribal conservation 

department in consultation with the Forest Service. 

MOU Appendix A 

Model Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code 

Page 16 
(2) "Designated tribal sugarbush" means a specific site identified and established by the 

tribal conservation department, in consultation with the Forest Service, for which a site 

management plan has been developed and for which a sugarbush site permit has been issued. 

(3) The tribal conservation department may issue a sugarbush site permit to one or more 

members and may impose such terms and conditions as it deems necessary or appropriate. 

(4) No member shall fail to comply with the terms and conditions of a sugarbush site 

permit. 

5.06 Harvest of Live Trees and Salvage Timber. 

(1) Harvest for Sale as “Lumber” or Similar Wood Products. (a) No member shall under 

authority of this ordinance cut down any live tree or gather any salvage timber for the purposes of 

selling all or part of it, or any product derived from its wood, as bolts, pulpwood or lumber. 

(b) No member shall sell under authority of this ordinance all or part of any tree, or any 

product derived from its wood, as bolts, pulpwood or lumber. 

(2) Harvest for Construction Purposes. (a) No member or tribal entity shall cut down 

any live tree or gather any salvage timber under authority of this ordinance for the purposes of 

constructing a structure or dwelling, as those terms are defined in subs. (b), without a valid 

structure construction harvest permit issued pursuant to subs. (c). 

(b) (i) For the purposes of this section, the terms “structure or dwelling” mean a building 

or other larger structure to be used for residential, commercial, or storage purposes, and include, 

for example, a home, cabin, garage, storage shed, store, office building, and manufacturing 

facility. The terms do not include smaller structures, such as hunting blinds, fish houses or 

sugarbush shacks, that are used in the exercise of treaty-reserved hunting, fishing or gathering 

rights. It is the member’s responsibility to verify that the intended construction use is not 

prohibited by this ordinance. Any uncertainty should be resolved by contacting the tribal 

conservation department or the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission. 

(ii) For the purposes of this section, “tribal entity” means an agency, business, 

partnership, corporation, committee, body or other entity, and the officers, employees and agents 

thereof, that is chartered, directed, controlled, or majority owned by the Tribe. 

(c) (i) The tribal conservation department is authorized to issue construction harvest 

permits on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate. 

(ii) Prior to issuing a construction harvest permit, the tribal conservation department must 

consult with and obtain the concurrence of the Forest Service. 

MOU Appendix A 

Model Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code 

Page 17 
Approved and Recommended for Tribal Ratification by the Voigt Intertribal Task Force (August 6, 1998) 

APPENDIX B 

TRIBAL SELF-REGULATION AGREEMENT 

This Tribal Self-Regulation Agreement [hereafter Self-Regulation Agreement] is entered into as 

part of the parties' ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding the Recognition and 

Implementation of Tribal Ceded Territory Rights Guaranteed by the Treaties of 1836, 1837, and 

1842 [hereafter MOU]. Specifically, the Self-Regulation Agreement implements the MOU ' s 

provisions regarding the Administration of Justice outlined in MOU Section VI.E. 

1. Parties. The entities that may be parties to the Self-Regulation Agreement are the same as those 

that may be parties to the MOU, as set forth in MOU Section II. 

2. Incorporation of MOU's Provisions. The MOU, as may be amended from time to time, is 

specifically incorporated by reference into the Self-Regulation agreement as if set forth in 

its entirety. The Self-Regulation Agreement shall be construed consistent with the 

purposes and provisions of the MOU, and, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, 

terms in the Self-Regulation Agreement shall have the same definition as provided in the 

MOU. 

3. Scope and Purposes of the Self-Regulation Agreement . The Self-Regulation Agreement pertains 

to the administration of justice regarding the Tribes ' exercise of their treaty-reserved ceded 

territory rights. Its primary purposes are to: 

a. Facilitate the exercise of the Tribes ' self-regulatory authority over the exercise of those rights; 

and 

b. Prevent dual prosecution in tribal and federal forums stemming from conduct regulated by a 

Tribe' s Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code that complies with the MOU ' s 

provisions [hereafter Complying Tribal Code]. 

4. Enforcement and Prosecution of Alleged Violations of Tribal Law . The parties acknowledge that 

conduct governed by a Complying Tribal Code also might be governed by federal statutes 

or regulations which the Forest Service is authorized to enforce in federal forums. Where 

the underlying conduct or act would be a violation of a Complying Tribal Code and of a 

federal statute or regulation, the parties agree that the Tribe' s court is the preferred forum 

for dealing the alleged violation. Specifically, the parties agree: 

a. Except as provide in subs. b, any conduct or act which is an alleged violation of a Complying 

Tribal Code shall be administered and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the 

Complying Tribal Code, provided: 

1) The Complying Tribal Code is in force at the time of the alleged violation; and 

2) The Tribe maintains a tribal court with jurisdiction to enforce the Complying Tribal 

Code. 

MOU Appendix B 

Tribal Self-Regulation Agreement 

Page 1 
b. After consultation with the affected Tribe, the Forest Service may initiate a federal enforcement 

action where the underlying conduct is egregious in nature. Factors to determine 

egregiousness shall include: the type of conduct involved; the amount of natural resources 

illegally taken; the nature and extent of the natural resource damages caused by the illegal 

act; considerations for specific and general deterrence; and considerations for compensating 

those persons or entities harmed or damaged by the conduct or act. 

5. Agreement Effective Date/Termination . The Self-Regulation Agreement shall take effect when at 

least one Tribe, the Forest Service' s Eastern Region and the Region' s Law Enforcement 

and Investigations have properly ratified it in accordance with their respective governmental procedures. The Self-Regulation Agreement shall be binding as to and between those 

entities that ratify it upon notice to the other parties of their ratification as provided in MOU 

Section IX. 

The Self-Regulation Agreement shall automatically terminate at such time when the requisite 

combination of parties to make it effective no longer exists, or when the MOU terminates. 

6. Dispute Resolution. The parties agree that any controversies, disputes, differences or misunderstandings arising out of the Self-Regulation Agreement shall be addressed as disputes under 

the MOU and handled in accordance with the MOU ' s provisions. 

7. Amendment of Agreement . The parties agree that amendments to the Self-Regulation Agreement 

shall be addressed in accordance with the provisions of MOU Section VI.F. 

8. Required Notices/Parties' Designated Representatives. The parties agree that the provisions of 

MOU Section IX shall apply to Notices of Ratification of and Withdrawal from the SelfRegulation Agreement and to the parties' designation of representatives regarding the SelfRegulation Agreement. 

MOU Appendix B 

Tribal Self-Regulation Agreement 

Page 2 
 

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 

REGARDING 

TRIBAL - USDA-FOREST SERVICE RELATIONS 

ON 

NATIONAL FOREST LANDS 

WITHIN THE TERRITORIES CEDED 

IN 

TREATIES OF 1836, 1837, AND 1842 

NATIONAL FOREST 

CAMPGROUND FEE AND LENGTH OF STAY RESTRICTION 

EXEMPTION AGREEMENT (VERSION 1.0) 

MAY 2000 
1. PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION. 

a. Purpose. It is the purpose of this Exemption Agreement to: 

1) Implement the provisions of Article VI.C.8 of the Memorandum of Understanding 

Regarding Tribal - USDA-Forest Service Relations on National Forest Lands Within 

the Territories Ceded in Treaties of 1836, 1837, and 1842 [hereafter MOU], as 

amended June 1999, regarding the use of National Forest campgrounds in the 

exercise of the Tribes’ ceded territory rights; and 

2) Provide an orderly and effective system for regulating the use of National Forest 

campgrounds in the exercise of the Tribes’ ceded territory rights. 

b. Interpretation. The Exemption Agreement shall be construed with the purposes and 

provisions of the MOU, as it may be amended from time to time. 

2. INCORPORATION INTO MOU. The MOU, Article VI.C.8 provides that, once ratified, the 

campground fee and length of stay Exemption Agreement becomes part of the MOU. In 

addition, a properly amended Exemption Agreement shall replace the then-current 

Exemption Agreement in the MOU. Therefore, unless the Exemption Agreement 

specifically provides otherwise, the parties agree: 

a. Application. The Exemption Agreement applies to same ceded territories and National 

Forests as the MOU, and parties to the MOU may also ratify and become parties to the 

Exemption Agreement. 

b. Terms Used. Unless the context indicates to the contrary, the terms used in the 

Exemption Agreement and Implementation Plan shall have the same meaning as 

provided in the MOU and its Appendices. In addition, the term “MOU” includes its 

Appendices and the term “Exemption Agreement” includes its accompanying 

Implementation Plan. 

c. Effect on MOU Provisions. The Exemption Agreement does not change the MOU. 

Rather, it adds to it by implementing the specific provisions relating to campgrounds. 

For administrative and process purposes, it shall be treated as an amendment to the 

MOU. 

3. ADMINISTRATION. Unless otherwise specifically provided, the Exemption Agreement shall 

be administered in accordance with the provisions of the MOU, in particular with the 

provisions of Article VI [Specific Agreements to Implement the Government-to-Government 

Relationship]. 

National Forest Camping Exemption Agreement 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 1 
4. RATIFICATION AND REQUIRED NOTICES. The Exemption Agreement shall be ratified in the 

same manner as the MOU was ratified and a similar Notice of Ratification for the Exemption 

Agreement shall be provided. In addition, unless otherwise specifically provided, required 

and other notices under the Exemption Agreement shall be provided in the same manner as 

required by the MOU. 

5. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. The Implementation Plan attached as Appendix A is incorporated 

by reference herein as if set forth in its entirety and a properly amended Implementation Plan 

shall replace the then-current Appendix A. The parties recognize that the Implementation 

Plan may need to be amended from time to time to deal with changing circumstances, 

particularly regarding the identification of fee-exempt camping locations and length of stay 

restrictions. They agree that amending the Implementation Plan essentially is an 

administrative matter that should not require the same degree of formality as ratifying an 

amendment to the MOU or the Exemption Agreement itself. Therefore, the parties agree that 

the Implementation Plan may be amended upon consensus reached between the parties’ 

“keepers of the process” identified pursuant to Article X of the MOU. 

6. FEE-EXEMPT CAMPING LOCATIONS. 

a. Campgrounds and Other Sites Involved. The Implementation Plan identifies those 

National Forest campgrounds and other camping locations that may be used without 

charge in the exercise of the Tribes’ ceded territory rights. The parties agree to 

periodically review and update these sites to ensure that they include: 

1) Campgrounds operated by a third party under a contract with the Forest Service 

where a contract specifically incorporates the MOU’s fee exemption. For those 

contracts that currently do not incorporate the fee exemption, the Forest Service 

agrees to include the MOU fee exemption requirement in the solicitation of 

concessionaire operations as existing contracts expire and to incorporate those 

requirements in new contracts as they are awarded. 

2) All other National Forest locations where a fee otherwise would have to be paid by 

the general public to camp (i.e. stay overnight) and where some process (such as a 

registration form or campsite fee envelope) is used to identify the camper and the 

specific campsite that will be used. 

b. Procedures for Using Fee-Exempt Campsites. The Implementation Plan sets forth the 

procedures that will be followed when registering at a fee-exempt campsite. The parties 

agree to periodically review these procedures as necessary to ensure that they include the 

following elements: 

National Forest Camping Exemption Agreement 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 2 
1) Following the registration procedures and completing the paperwork generally used 

for the site; and 

2) In lieu of fee payment, providing to campground compliance personnel and/or 

placing in a campsite fee envelope a document authorizing use in the exercise of the 

Tribes’ ceded territory rights that has first been obtained from a Tribe or such other 

information as the Tribes and the Forest Service may agree upon. 

c. Reserving Fee-Exempt Campsites. The Forest Service’s local and national systems for 

reserving particular fee-exempt campsites may be used for reserving sites for use in the 

exercise of the Tribes’ ceded territory rights with the following understandings: 

1) The parties acknowledge that it is not possible at this time to implement a fee 

exemption for reservation and camping fees that are presently collected “up-front” 

when a reservation is made either through the Forest Service’s national reservation 

system or through a local reservation system for a limited number of campsites. The 

parties agree to revisit this issue as part of the regular MOU monitoring and 

evaluation procedures upon the request of any party. 

2) The Forest Service is not obligated to establish a campsite reservation system where 

one presently does not exist. However, where there is a particular need, including the 

demonstrated inability to obtain campsites on a first-come, first-served basis, a Tribe 

may ask the local Forest Service District to reserve a campsite for use in the exercise 

of the Tribes’ ceded territory rights. The Forest Service agrees to make every attempt 

to accommodate the request and, before denying the request, to discuss possible 

alternatives with the Tribe. In any event, the Forest Service shall not unreasonably 

deny the request. 

3) The Exemption Agreement will not be implemented in a way that displaces non-tribal 

users who are lawfully camping or that displaces reservations made by non-tribal 

users. 

7. LOCATIONS WITH LENGTH OF STAY LIMITATIONS. The Implementation Plan identifies 

those campgrounds or other camping locations for use in the exercise of the Tribes’ ceded 

territory rights where the parties agree to specific length of stay limitations between June 15 

and August 15. The parties agree to periodically review these sites to ensure that the length 

of stay limitations do not interfere with the exercise of those rights. The Forest Service 

agrees to include the MOU length of stay exemption requirement in the solicitation of 

concessionaire operations as existing contracts expire and to incorporate those requirements 

in new contracts as they are awarded, unless the Tribes have agreed to length of stay 

National Forest Camping Exemption Agreement 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 3 
restrictions for the particular campground involved. 

8. USE OF CAMPSITES THAT ARE “CLOSED” FOR THE SEASON. The parties acknowledge that 

the Forest Service provides services at campgrounds and campsites only during an annual 

operating season, generally from late spring to early fall. The parties agree that use of 

campgrounds and campsites outside of the annual operating season in the exercise of the 

Tribes’ ceded territory rights shall be as follows: 

a. “Closed” Campgrounds. The Forest Service presently prohibits camping in certain 

campgrounds outside of their annual operating season and agrees to provide the Tribes 

with information identifying those campgrounds and the periods during which they are 

“closed.” The Tribes agree to also prohibit camping in these locations with the 

understanding that camping in the exercise of the Tribes’ ceded territory rights may take 

place under a special permit issued by a Tribe with the Forest Service’s written consent. 

The Implementation Plan sets forth a list of these campgrounds. Request for Forest 

Service consent should be directed to the local Forest Service District. The requesting 

Tribe and Forest Service will then work out arrangements regarding sanitation and other 

issues of conservation, public health or public safety concerns. The Forest Service agrees 

to make every attempt to accommodate the request and, before withholding consent, to 

discuss possible alternatives with the Tribe. In any event, Forest Service consent shall 

not unreasonably be withheld. 

b. Other Campgrounds. For those campgrounds where the Forest Service does not 

specifically prohibit camping outside of their annual operating season, the Tribes may 

authorize and regulate camping in the exercise of their ceded territory rights on the same 

terms as the Forest Service regulates camping by the general public during the same 

period. 

9. GENERAL CAMPING REGULATIONS. To supplement the protections already provided by the 

Tribes’ Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code, the Implementation Plan contains a 

number of general regulations that will govern camping in the exercise of the Tribes’ ceded 

territory rights pursuant to the Exemption Agreement. These regulations are intended to 

conserve the natural resources in and around the National Forest sites subject to the 

Exemption Agreement and to protect public health and safety. They are based upon parallel 

federal regulations found in 36 C.F.R. Part 261 and implementing Forest Service orders. 

These regulations generally relate to behavior while camping, fire prevention, sanitation, 

protection of government-owned facilities and other matters regarding occupation and use of 

National Forest camping facilities. 

10. MONITORING AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE. In recognition of the dynamic nature of their 

relationship, the parties agree that any matter within the scope of the Exemption Agreement 

National Forest Camping Exemption Agreement 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 4 
may be reviewed and changes considered as part of the regular MOU and Exemption 

Agreement monitoring and evaluation procedures. In addition, the parties, through their 

respective “keepers of the process” identified pursuant to Article X of the MOU, agree to 

gather and exchange in a timely manner information relevant to the Exemption Agreement 

that will aid in monitoring and evaluating the Agreement’s implementation. 

National Forest Camping Exemption Agreement 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 5 
 

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 

REGARDING 

TRIBAL - USDA-FOREST SERVICE RELATIONS 

ON 

NATIONAL FOREST LANDS 

WITHIN THE TERRITORIES CEDED 

IN 

TREATIES OF 1836, 1837, AND 1842 

NATIONAL FOREST 

CAMPGROUND FEE AND LENGTH OF STAY RESTRICTION 

IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (VERSION 1.0) 

MAY 2000 
1. PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL OBLIGATIONS. 

a. Purpose. It is the purpose of this Implementation Plan to: 

1) Implement the provisions of the National Forest Campground Fee and Length of Stay 

Restriction Exemption Agreement (“Exemption Agreement”); and 

2) Regulate the use of National Forest campgrounds and related matters in the exercise 

of the Tribe’s ceded territory rights. 

b. Definitions. For the purposes of this Implementation Plan: 

1) Unless otherwise specifically provided or the context clearly indicates to the contrary, 

the terms used in this Implementation Plan shall have the same meaning as provided 

in the Exemption Agreement. 

2) “Campground” means any site within a National Forest where the Forest Service, 

either directly or through third party contractor, would require a fee from the general 

public to camp and where some registration process is used to identify the camper 

and the specific campsite that will be used. 

3) “Developed Forest Service recreation site” means an area of National Forest lands 

which has been improved or developed for public recreation. 

4) “Tribe” means the particular Exemption Agreement signatory Tribe in which the 

tribal member who is attempting to exercise ceded territory rights is enrolled. 

5) “Tribal member” means a member of that particular Tribe. 

c. General Obligations. No member shall fail to comply with any provision or 

requirement of: 

1) This Implementation Plan; 

2) The Tribe’s National Forest Ceded Territory Gathering Code; 

3) The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission’s (“Commission”) document 

entitled Tribal Ceded Territory Fee-Exempt Campgrounds; or 

4) Any permit or other document issued pursuant to this Implementation Plan or the 

Tribe’s National Forest Ceded Territory Gathering Code. 

National Forest Camping Implementation Plan 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 1 
2. REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS AT PARTICULAR CAMPGROUNDS. 

a. Particular Campgrounds. The Commission’s document entitled National Forest 

Campgrounds (Version 1.0), as it may be amended from time to time, is hereby adopted 

and incorporated as if fully set forth herein. This document identifies the following 

National Forest campgrounds for use in the exercise of the Tribe’s ceded territory rights: 

1) Fee-Exempt Campgrounds – Those campgrounds where tribal members may camp 

for no charge; 

2) Length of Stay Limitation Campgrounds – Those campgrounds where tribal members 

may not continuously camp for longer than the specific period indicated; and 

3) Campgrounds “Closed” to Camping Outside of the Annual Operating Season – Those 

campgrounds that are closed to tribal member camping during the specified period, 

except pursuant to and in compliance with a permit issued by the Tribe’s 

Conservation Department, or its designee, that authorizes camping in a named 

campground during the closed period. 

The Commission, in conjunction with the Tribe and the other parties to the Memorandum 

of Understanding Regarding Tribal - USDA-Forest Service Relations on National Forest 

Lands Within the Territories Ceded in Treaties of 1836, 1837, and 1842 (“MOU”), shall 

periodically update this publication to accurately implement and comply with the terms of 

the Exemption Agreement regarding these locations. 

b. Procedures for Using Fee-Exempt Sites. In order to use any campsite within a feeexempt campground, a tribal member must: 

1) Obtain and follow the instructions of the Tribe’s Conservation Department, or its 

designee, as to what forms, documents or information are necessary; 

2) Follow the camping registration procedures and complete the paperwork generally 

used at the particular site in question; and 

3) Instead of paying a fee, provide the document(s) or information required by the 

Tribe’s Conservation Department, or its designee, to the campsite compliance 

personnel and/or place the required document(s) or information in and/or on a 

campsite fee envelope. 

4) Camp only at a site for which he or she has registered. 

c. Reserving a Fee-Exempt Campsite. Tribal members may use the Forest Service’s local 

National Forest Camping Implementation Plan 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 2 
or national systems for reserving particular fee-exempt campsites that are available 

through those systems, but members will still have to pay any camping and/or reservation 

fee that is collected as a condition for making the reservation. However, where there is a 

need, including the demonstrated inability to obtain campsites on a first-come, firstserved basis, a tribal member may contact the Tribe’s Conservation Department, or its 

designee. The Conservation Department, or its designee, may then ask the local Forest 

Service District to reserve a site for the member as provided in the Exemption 

Agreement. 

d. Interference With Other Campers. No member shall interfere with or displace any 

person who is camping or who has a reservation to camp at a National Forest campsite. 

e. Failure to Pay Non-Exempt Camping Fees. No member shall fail to pay any fee for 

camping for which the MOU, Exemption Agreement or Implementation Plan do not 

provide an exemption. 

3. General Regulations and Requirements. While exercising the Tribe’s ceded territory 

rights in a National Forest, the following are prohibited: 

a. Interfering With a Forest Service Official. Threatening, resisting, intimidating, 

interfering with or giving false or fraudulent information to any Forest Service employee, 

official, representative or agent engaged in the performance of their duties. 

b. Disorderly Conduct. 

1) Engaging in fighting. 

2) Addressing any offensive or derisive or annoying communication to any other person 

who is lawfully present when such communication has a direct tendency to cause acts 

of violence by the person to whom the remark is addressed. 

3) Making statements or other actions directed toward inciting or producing imminent 

lawless action and likely to incite or produce such action. 

4) Causing public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm by making unreasonably loud 

noise. 

c. Fire. 

1) Carelessly or negligently throwing or placing any ignited substance or other 

substance that may cause a fire. 

National Forest Camping Implementation Plan 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 3 
2) Firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition. 

3) Leaving a campfire without completely extinguishing it. 

4) Allowing a fire to escape from control. 

5) Building, attending, maintaining, or using a campfire without removing all flammable 

material from around the campfire adequate to prevent its escape. 

d. Property. 

1) Damaging or removing any natural feature or other property of the United States. 

2) Entering any building, structure, or enclosed area owned or controlled by the United 

States when such building, structure, or enclosed area is not open to the public. 

e. Occupancy and Use. 

1) Discharging a firearm, bow or crossbow in or within 150 yards of a residence, 

building, campsite, developed Forest Service recreation site, or cave. 

2) Abandoning any personal property. 

3) Placing a vehicle or other object in such a manner that it is an impediment or hazard 

to the safety of any person. 

4) Operating or using any device which produces noise, such as a radio, television, 

musical instrument, motor, engine or public address system (portable or vehicle 

mounted) in such a manner and at such a time so as to unreasonably disturb any 

person. 

5) Failing to stop a vehicle when directed to do so by a properly identified Forest 

Service employee. 

6) Failing to pay any fee or other charge for which the Exemption Agreement and 

Implementation Plan do not provide exemptions. 

7) Discharging or igniting a firecracker, rocket or other firework, or explosive into or 

within any cave. 

f. Sanitation. 

National Forest Camping Implementation Plan 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 4 
 

1) Depositing in any toilet, toilet vault, or plumbing fixture any substance which could 

damage or interfere with the operation or maintenance of the fixture. 

2) Possessing or leaving refuse, debris, or litter in an exposed or unsanitary condition. 

3) Placing in or near a stream, lake, or other water any substance which does or may 

pollute the water. 

4) Failing to dispose of all garbage, including any paper, can, bottle, sewage, waste 

water or material, or rubbish either by removal from the site or area, or by depositing 

it into receptacles or at places provided for such purposes. 

g. Use of Vehicles Off Roads. Operating any vehicle off of any public road within a 

National Forest: 

1) Carelessly, recklessly or without regard for the safety of any person, or in a manner 

that endangers, or is likely to endanger, any person or property. 

2) In a manner which damages or unreasonably disturbs the land, wildlife or vegetative 

resources. 

h. Developed Forest Service Recreation Sites. 

1) Building, attending, maintaining, or using a fire outside of a fire ring provided by the 

Forest Service for such purpose or outside of a stove, grill or fireplace. 

2) Cleaning or washing any personal property, fish, animal, or food, or bathing or 

washing at a hydrant or water faucet not provided for that purpose. 

3) Discharging or igniting a firecracker, rocket or other firework, or explosive. 

4) Occupying between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. a place clearly posted for day use only. 

5) Failing to remove camping equipment or personal property when vacating the area or 

site. 

6) Placing, maintaining, or using camping equipment except in a place specifically 

designated or provided for such equipment. 

7) Without permission from a campground official, failing to have at least one person 

National Forest Camping Implementation Plan 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 5 
occupy a camping area during the first night after camping equipment has been set 

up. 

8) Leaving camping equipment unattended for more than 24 hours without permission 

of a campground official. 

9) Bringing in or possessing an animal, other than a seeing eye dog, unless it is crated, 

caged, or upon a leash not longer than six feet, or otherwise under physical restrictive 

control. 

10) Bringing in or possessing in a swimming area an animal, other than a seeing eye dog. 

11) Operating or parking a motor vehicle or trailer except in places developed or 

designated for this purpose. 

12) Operating a bicycle, motorbike, or motorcycle on a trail unless designated for this 

use. 

13) Operating a motorbike, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle for any purpose other than 

entering or leaving the site. 

14) Depositing any body waste except into receptacles provided for that purpose. 

i. Requirements at Particular Locations. When the Forest Service has notified the Tribe 

or has posted a particular location as to where the requirement or restriction is intended to 

apply: 

1) Violating any Forest Service imposed fire ban or other restrictions on the possession 

or use of items that may cause fire in areas where a fire ban has been imposed. 

2) Entering, using or camping in an area without permission that has been posted as 

closed either generally or as to specific dates or times where a fire ban has been 

imposed. 

3) Occupying a site with prohibited camping equipment. 

4) Using a campsite or other area by more than the number of users or vehicles allowed. 

5) Parking or leaving a vehicle in violation of posted instructions. 

6) Being publicly nude. 

National Forest Camping Implementation Plan 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 6 
7) Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun. 

8) Being in an area between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless camping or visiting a person who 

is camping. 

9) Possessing or storing any food or refuse in violation of posted instructions 

National Forest Camping Implementation Plan 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 7 
National Forest Camping Implementation Plan 

May 2000 – Version 1.0 

Page 8 
TRIBAL WILDERNESSES, 

TRIBAL RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS, 

AND TRIBAL VEHICLE PERMIT AREAS 

ON NATIONAL FORESTS 

VERSION 1: AUGUST 1998 

Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission 

Biological Services Division 

P.O. Box 9 

Odanah, WI 54861 

(715) 682-6619 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................Page 2 

TRIBAL WILDERNESSES.........................................................................Page 2 

TRIBAL RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS...............................................Page 3 

TRIBAL VEHICLE PERMIT AREAS.......................................................Page 4 

INTRODUCTION 

The intent of this publication is to provide a readily accessible means of identifying Tribal Wildernesses, 

Tribal Research Natural Areas, and Tribal Permit Areas along with associated regulations applicable to 

the Off-Reservation National Forest Gathering Code. 

Tribal Wildernesses protect lands to be primarily affected by forces of nature, without human influence. 

Tribal Research Natural Areas protect lands to maintain biological diversity, allow for non-manipulative 

biological research, and foster natural history education. Tribal Vehicle Permit Areas are designated 

Forest Service lands which require parking permits. 

The contents of this publication may be modified on occasion. Please contact the Biological Services 

Division or Policy Analyst of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission to confirm the most 

recent update. 

TRIBAL WILDERNESSES 

REGULATIONS 

Motorized vehicles, boats, and machinery prohibited within designated wilderness areas; with the 

exception of motorized boats on Crooked Lake within the Sylvania Wilderness Area, Ottawa National 

Forest. Bicycles and other wheeled mechanisms also prohibited within designated wilderness areas. 

Tribal Wildernesses, Tribal Research Natural Areas, and Tribal Vehicle Permit Areas on National Forests 

Version 1; August 1998 

Page 2 
TRIBAL WILDERNESSES 

Chequamegon-Nicolet 

National Forest 

Blackjack Springs 

Headwaters 

Porcupine Lake 

Rainbow 

Whisker Lake 

Ottawa National Forest 

McCormick 

Sturgeon River Gorge 

Sylvania 

Hiawatha National Forest 

Big Island Lake 

Delirium 

Horseshoe Bay 

Mackinac 

Rock River Canyon 

Round Island 

Huron-Manistee National Forest 

Nordhouse Dunes 

TRIBAL RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS 

REGULATIONS 

Gathering of wild plants prohibited within designated research natural areas except for religious or 

ceremonial use with permission from Tribe. 

TRIBAL NATURAL RESEARCH AREAS 

Chequamegon-Nicolet 

National Forest 

Bose Lake 

Chequamegon Hardwoods 

Grandma Lake Wetlands 

McCarthy Lake and Cedars 

McCaslin Mountain 

Memorial Grove Hemlocks 

Moquah 

South Branch Grove 

Spider Lake 

Tucker Lake Hemlocks 

Twin Lakes Bog 

Waupee Lake 

Ottawa National Forest 

McCormick 

Hiawatha National Forest 

Dukes 

Grand Island 

Horseshoe Bay 

Huron-Manistee National Forest 

Hayes Tower 

Newaygo Prairies 

Nordhouse Dunes 

Tribal Wildernesses, Tribal Research Natural Areas, and Tribal Vehicle Permit Areas on National Forests 

Version 1; August 1998 

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TRIBAL VEHICLE PERMIT AREAS 

REGULATIONS 

Vehicles parked in designated fee sites must have a sticker placed on the lower passenger corner of the 

windshield. Tribal offices will provide information on obtaining these stickers free of charge. 

TRIBAL VEHICLE PERMIT AREAS 

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Eagle River-Florence District 

Developed Day-Use Charge-Sites 

Anvil Beach Parking and Boat Landing 

Anvil Trail Parking, Lots 1 & 2 

Butternut Lake Boat Landings, East/South 

Franklin Lake Boat Landing 

Franklin Lake Picnic, Beach, and Trail Parking 

Kentuck Lake Boat Landing 

Laurel Lake Boat Landing 

Luna Lake Boat Landing 

Sevenmile Lake Boat Landing 

Spectacle Boat Landing & Beach Parking 

White Deer Lake Beach Parking 

Stevens Lake Boat Landing 

Lost Lake Boat Landing, Picnic, and Beach 

Parking 

Morgan Lake Beach Parking 

Morgan Lake Boat Landing 

Perch Lake Trail Parking 

Lauterman Trail Parking 

Assessor's Trail Parking 

Chipmunk Rapids Parking Area at Artesian Well 

Nicolet North Trail Parking 

Developed Campgrounds 

Windsor Dam 

Anvil Lake 

Brule River 

Chipmunk Rapids 

Franklin Lake North 

Franklin Lake South 

Kentuck Lake 

Stevens Lake 

Laurel Lake 

Lauterman Lake 

Lost Lake 

Luna-White Deer 

Morgan Lake 

Seven mile Lake 

Spectacle Lake 

Dispersed Camping Charge-Sites 

Quartz Lake (1 site) 

Luna Lake-North Shore (2 sites) 

Indian Camp Lake 

Three Johns Lake 

Mckinley Lake 

Harriet Lake 

Perch Lake (5 sites) 

Lauterman Lake (5 sites) 

Tribal Wildernesses, Tribal Research Natural Areas, and Tribal Vehicle Permit Areas on National Forests 

Version 1; August 1998 

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Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Great Divide District 

Developed Day-Use Charge-Sites 

Rock Lake 

Mukwonago Ski Trail 

Morgan Falls 

Penokee 

Day Lake Picnic Area & Boat Landing 

Moose Lake Boat Landing 

Camp Loretta 

Black Lake Boat Landing & Picnic Area 

Lake Three Boat Landing 

West Torch 

Dispersed Camping Charge Sites 

Camp Loretta 

Developed Campgrounds 

Beaver Lake 

Black Lake 

Day Lake 

East Twin 

Lake Three 

Mineral Lake 

Moose Lake 

Stockfarm Bridge 

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Medford-Park Falls District 

Developed Day-Use Charge-Sites 

Newman Lake Rec Area 

Wintergreen Trailhead 

Sailor Picnic/Boat Area 

Round Lake Boat Landing 

Patterson Lake Boat Landing 

Round Lake Dam Interpretive Site 

Newman Springs Trailhead 

Bayview Boat Landing 

Chippewa Campground Boat Landing 

Picnic Point Boat Landing 

Perkinstown Motorized Trailhead 

Lakeview Day Use & Boat Landing 

Kathryn Lake Boat Landing 

Developed Campgrounds 

Chippewa 

Eastwood 

Emily Lake 

Kathryn Lake 

North Twin Lake 

Picnic Point 

Sailor Lake 

Smith Rapids 

Spearhead Point 

Twin Lakes 

Wabasso Lake 

West Point 

Dispersed Camping Charge-Sites 

Patterson Lake (2 sites) 

Glacial Springs "camp" 

Wabasso Lake 

South Twin Lake Boat Landing 

East Mondeaux Spur 

Tribal Wildernesses, Tribal Research Natural Areas, and Tribal Vehicle Permit Areas on National Forests 

Version 1; August 1998 

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